News Briefs (Volume 68 Issue 1)

PHOTO/ Kaylee Eiber A ribbon cutting marked the soft opening of the Temple City Library on May 17.

By Jessica Lu,
Staff Writer

Dr. Hernandez resigns

Assistant Principal Annie Hernandez resigned from her position at TCHS after three years to become the principal at Mira Catalina Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes, the school she attended when she was a student. Her last day at TCHS is June 30, and her first day at Mira Catalina Elementary School is July 1.

“The hardest part of all of this is for sure leaving TC,” Hernandez said. “It’s become my home and it’s hard to think that my days are going to be different now. I’m going to miss the genuine connectedness to this place and the outpouring of love and community in this family.”

Hernandez announced her resignation to the staff on May 11, and it was board approved later that evening. Before coming to TC, Hernandez taught at Miraleste Intermediate School for 11 years. In the future, she plans to teach at the collegiate level.

“I would just like to say thank you to the staff and students of TC for making me feel welcome and appreciated as part of the community,” Hernandez said. “I’m going to miss them all and I am going to be forever grateful for not only the opportunity to serve TC, but also the opportunity to be able to meet so many incredible people.”

Temple City Library reopens

After closing in early 2019, the Temple City Library, located at 5939 Golden West Ave., had its soft reopening on May 17 after undergoing a renovation and expansion project. An open house event is on June 7 with representatives from the County of Los Angeles, the County Supervisor, County Librarian and Mayor. This open house will also include library staff who will give tours of the library to the public.

Essentially, renovations added a new interior to the library. Some of the upgrades include a community room, an expanded children’s reading area, new public artwork throughout the library and new garden areas around the property. The library installed an upgraded air conditioning and heating system, along with new lighting and shelving. Library staff have an expansive break area and a spacious front counter. Due to COVID-19, the project suffered supply chain and labor shortages, especially in early 2020 and late 2021.

During construction, the Chamber of Commerce at 9050 E. Las Tunas Dr. served as a temporary library. Known as the Temple City Express Library, it provided library services for residents and patrons.